At least 81 Palestinians have been killed in recent Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip, according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health. The fatalities include civilians caught in airstrikes and gunfire as Israeli forces targeted various locations in the densely populated enclave.
Among the dead were many who were waiting for humanitarian aid. Palestinian witnesses and medical sources described scenes of chaos and bloodshed when Israeli troops and drones opened fire on crowds gathered near aid distribution points in central and southern Gaza. In one incident near the Salah al-Din Road south of Wadi Gaza, at least 44 people were killed while waiting for food aid, with many others wounded, some critically.
Additional strikes hit residential areas including al-Shuja'iyya, Deir al-Balah, al-Nuseirat refugee camp, Jabalia, and near the Ansar Government Complex, resulting in multiple casualties, including women and children. Gaza’s civil defense reported entire families among the dead, underscoring the heavy toll on civilians.
The Israeli military reported the deaths of seven Israeli soldiers in combat operations in southern Gaza around the same period, highlighting the ongoing intensity of the conflict.
This surge in casualties comes amid a broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 56,000 Palestinians have been reported killed since the war began in October 2023, according to Gaza’s health authorities. Independent surveys estimate the death toll could be much higher, with a significant proportion of victims being women, children, and the elderly.
The violence has severely impacted medical facilities and aid delivery, complicating efforts to provide relief to the population. The situation remains volatile, with repeated outbreaks of violence and ongoing military operations in the region.